Manisha Koirala : “I’ve rediscovered my love for acting”

Manisha Koirala is back on the big screens following a break after being diagnosed with cancer. Currently in post-recovery stage, Koirala shares how she feels being in front of the camera once again.

Reported on Pinkvilla, last year Koirala made her come back in ‘Maya’ (2017), and said she has rediscovered her love for acting. “Have you heard of this Italian movie called Il Postino? I love Pablo Neruda’s poetry and this film is about his encounter with a postman, who used to bring his letters. The actor, Massimo Troisi, who played the latter, passed away after the film was shot. I know the value of an actor because cinema and acting is everything for me. If you love your work so much that this could be the last thing you would be doing before you say goodbye to the world, then it’s the best thing. I’ve rediscovered my love for acting.”

Koirala who will be seen essaying the role of Sanjay Dutt’s mother Nargis Dutt in ‘Sanju’, said that now she is in post-recovery, she’s embracing life. “I am embracing life with open arms! I’m doing things which I love. I feel I can do a few things, but I’m fully present because I’m enjoying them. I love nature, hiking, trekking, taking long walks… so I’m doing all that.”

Asked how she prepared for the role of Sanjay Dutt’s mother, Koirala explained, “There was a trial of Bombay at Ajanta Theatre owned by Dutt Saab. After seeing it, he called me and said, ‘Manisha, you reminded us of Nargis Duttji.’ That was a massive compliment for me! After so many years, I am playing her. But I was not very confident. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do justice to the role. So, I was nervous but Rajji (Rajkumar Hirani) and his team were thoroughly prepared. We did look tests, held discussions and he made me watch documentaries on her. Then I met Priya Dutt, who sent me a book written about her parents. I never got a chance to talk to Baba (Sanjay Dutt) about her, but all this work helped me perform.”

Of course Koirala couldn’t help but tell Dutt she was a huge fan of his when she was growing up. She reveals that Dutt was the biggest prankster on sets and is very much excited to have had the opportunity to work with him again.